Back Pain Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Back Pain, including details on lower back pain, sciatica, treatment, prevention, medication.

Study on the relationship between backpack use and back and neck pain among adolescents.

Navuluri N, Navuluri RB

Hobbs School District, Hobbs, New Mexico, USA.

A descriptive correlation study was conducted in Hobbs, New Mexico, USA, to find the relationship between backpack use and back and neck pain among adolescent boys and girls. A higher percentage of girls than boys rated their pain as being moderate to extremely strong. The correlation between pain and backpack weight per body mass index among girls was positive and significant, but negative and non-significant among boys. The correlation between pain and backpack weight was positive and non-significant among both boys and girls. The correlation between pain and each of the variables of backpack weight per body weight, backpack weight per height, and backpack weight per body surface area was negative and non-significant among boys, but positive and non-significant among girls. Gender-based research studies with additional variables and safe backpack use education in schools are recommended.

Published 3 November 2006 in Nurs Health Sci, 8(4): 208-15.
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